Utility trenching and sidewalk system

Abstract

A utility trenching and sidewalk system comprising modular utility sidewalk units which may be assembled together to form a cable trench. The modular units are formed from plastic composite material and include sidewalls, a bottom wall and covers which define a chamber for housing utility cables. A cavity formed in the sidewalls and bottom wall is filled with concrete through apertures in the sidewalls. The covers are removable from the module to provide access to the chamber. The module further includes a recess for receiving a paving material which serves as a sidewalk surface in the installed system.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10 / 038,721, filed Jan. 3, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,510 the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention pertains to utility trenches for routing utility cables.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Utility cables are often buried beneath the earth to hide the cables and to protect them from damage, especially in residential or business areas. Buried utility cables, however, suffer many drawbacks. For example, various utility providers (such as electric, telephone and television providers) often work independently and bury their respective cables in separate locations. Such non-uniform burying of cables may lead to confusion regarding utility company rights of way and creates the danger of cables being severed or damaged during excavation by homeowners, developers, or other utility providers. If the cables are severed or otherwise damaged, repair ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]In another embodiment of the invention, a cavity is formed in the sidewalls and bottom wall of the module. The cavity may be filled with poured, wet concrete through apertures provided in the sidewalls. In this embodiment, the cavity serves as a concrete mold to create a durable utility trenching system after the concrete has cured. Advantageously, th

Problems solved by technology

Buried utility cables, however, suffer many drawbacks.

Such non-uniform burying of cables may lead to confusion regarding utility company rights of way and creates the danger of cables being severed or damaged during excavation by homeowners, developers, or other utility providers.

If the cables are severed or otherwise damaged, repair or replacement requires the costly and time-consuming process of digging up of the buried cables.

Furthermore, cables which are buried in the earth must be manufactured with relatively expensive insulation to protect the cables against moisture, heat, and damage from rodents.

Previous trenching systems have typically been made from precast sections of concrete and are thus very heavy

Images